2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Makes its World Premiere in Geneva [61 Photos + Videos]

Two generations and close to a million sales after the introduction of the first Outlander in 2001, Mitsubishi today presented the all-new third iteration of its crossover model at the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show.

The shape and styling of the new Outlander won’t come as a surprise to anyone that has been following the news as it was previewed by the Concept PX-MiEV at last December’s Tokyo Motor Show.

In fact, there are very little differences between the two cars, mainly the softer front end and certain production bits such as the exterior mirrors. Mitsubishi itself describe the new Outlander’s exterior as “solid, safe and simple”.

The interior has the same understated / bland styling as the exterior with Mitsubishi promising high-grade materials with padded surfaces and soft-touch plastics. Like the second gen Outlander, the new model will continue to carry five or seven people.

At 4,655mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,680mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,670mm, the new Outlander is identical in size to the current car in all dimensions.

The European market model will be made available with a choice of two different engines, a 2.0-liter MIVEC petrol producing 150ps (148bhp) and a peak torque of 195Nm (144 lb-ft) and a 2.2-liter Clean Diesel rated at 150ps (148bhp) and 380Nm (280 lb-ft), both of which will be offered in front- or all-wheel drive

The petrol engine can be linked to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, while the diesel unit is offered with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Start-stop comes fitted as standard on all models expect the diesel variant with the automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional.

The range will be further expanded in early 2013 with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that links a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine to a pair of electric motors, one on each axle.

The combination will offer three different driving modes:

• Pure (Twin Motor 4WD EV)
• Series (Twin Motor 4WD EV supported by ICE generator).
• Parallel (Twin Motor 4WD EV supplemented by ICE at higher speed – Electric motors assist in powerful acceleration without any gearshift).

Mitsubishi says that the Plug-in Hybrid EV system will allow for a driving range and CO2 emissions similar to those announced for the concept model at over 800km (500 miles) and under 50g/km respectively.

Sales of the new Outlander will begin in Russia this summer, with Europe to follow a couple of months later ahead of the crossover’s Japanese, Oceania, Chinese and North American debuts.

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